A Review on Factors Affecting Technology Adoption in Agricultural Sector

Abstract

Purpose: Adoption of new technology in the agricultural sector is low. This is similar to the condition in many other sectors as well. Many studies have been conducted to find out reasons for this issue. While some studies have identified similar factors affecting the decision to adopt a technology, some studies revealed factors which were uniqe to their study. Therefore, identification and compilation of these factors will support future studies and researchers.Research Method: An analysis of literature on technology adoption was conducted. Literature originated from numerous sources spanning almost 50 years were taken for the study. The factors identified by different studies were then compiled for this review paper.Findings: The factors identified can be mainly categorized into three; (1) factors related to the user, such as farm size, income, prior experience, gender, education level, and age; (2) factors related to the technology, such as affordability, availability, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability; (3) institutional factors, such as access to extension services, inputs, markets and credit facilities. The review findings reveal that adoption is a collective and interactive effect of some or all factors. Thus, identification of priority factors and a holistic approach need to be considered to ensure greater adoption.Originality/ Value: This compilation will support practitioners in technology dissemination for proper identification of factors affecting technology adoption, and future research on technology adoption and diffusion

Farmers’ acceptance of robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles: A systematic review

“…As expected, education was identified in multiple reviewed studies, which could be explained by the necessity of possessing a certain level of knowledge about the usage of these technologies to ensure their successful implementation, given their novelty and complexity. This finding corresponded to findings from other review papers on technology adoption (Dissanayake et al, 2022) and the willingness to pay for agricultural innovations (Olum et al, 2020). According to this review, older farmers were less likely to adopt agricultural robotics or UAVs, as confirmed in other studies, possibly due to the resistance to change or a more short-term farm vision due to pending retirement (Tamirat et al, 2018).…”

“…Potentially, women in China are more affected by credit constraints and the lack of information, which was suggested as an explanation by Olum et al (2020) for the differences in the adoption of agricultural innovations. It is assumed that a larger farm size often leads to a higher (agricultural) income, with more financial resources to invest in novel technologies (Dissanayake et al, 2022). This review confirmed this assumption.…”

“…(2020) for the differences in the adoption of agricultural innovations. It is assumed that a larger farm size often leads to a higher (agricultural) income, with more financial resources to invest in novel technologies (Dissanayake et al., 2022). This review confirmed this assumption.…”

“…Furthermore, the need for new technology to be compatible with existing technologies or equipment was stressed by Pathak et al (2019). The importance of technology-related factors (e.g., complexity and affordability) and institutional factors (e.g., social capital and extension service) was mentioned in a review of the adoption of agricultural technology (Dissanayake et al, 2022). Since a large part of farm labor can be replaced by robotics (Marinoudi et al, 2019), labor scarcity may positively affect adoption.…”

Determinants of utilisation of tomato value addition technology among beneficiaries in Oyo State, Nigeria

“…The idea of Reasoned Action served as the foundation for the presumptions that people's attitudes might affect how they use TVAT. It has been discovered that attitudes and subjective norms are significant predictors of people's intentions to carry out an activity, such as embracing and utilising new technology (Dissanayake et al, 2022). According to Fishbein and Ajzen (1975), a person's behaviour is influenced by both his/her intention and attitude toward an action.…”